Mechatronics (Part-II)- Machine Vision Imaging Based Automatic Inspection

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Know About Automatic Inspection Based On Machine Vision Imaging

Here we continue with the second part of our blog on mechatronics. Those who have missed our first blog can read it from Here. It will help to connect with the second part of the blog discussing about automatic inspection based on machine vision imaging. Let us explore the blog to find out in more details. In words of Kan Goldberg: 

"We're fascinated with robots because they are reflections of ourselves".

Introducing Machine Vision

Machine vision (MV) is the technology and methods used to provide imaging-based automatic inspection and analysis for such applications as automatic inspection, process control, and robot guidance, usually in industry. Machine vision is a term encompassing a large number of technologies, software and hardware products, integrated systems, actions, methods and expertise. Machine vision as a systems engineering discipline can be considered distinct from computer vision, a form of computer science. It attempts to integrate existing technologies in new ways and apply them to solve real world problems. The term is also used in a broader sense by trade shows and trade groups; this broader definition also encompasses products and applications most often associated with image processing. Definitions of the term "Machine vision" vary, but all include the technology and methods used to extract information from an image, as opposed to image processing, where the output is another image. The information extracted can be a simple good-part/bad-part signal, or more a complex set of data such as the identity, position and orientation of each object in an image. The information can be used for such applications as automatic inspection, damage quantification and robot and process guidance in industry, or for security monitoring.  This field encompasses a large number of technologies, software and hardware products, integrated systems, actions, methods and expertise. Machine vision as a systems engineering discipline can be considered distinct from computer vision, a form of basic computer science; machine vision attempts to integrate existing technologies in new ways and apply them to solve real world problems in a way that meets the requirements of industrial automation and similar application areas. The term is also used in a broader sense by trade shows and trade groups such as the Automated Imaging Association and the European Machine Vision Association. This broader definition also encompasses products and applications most often associated with image processing. The primary uses for machine vision are automatic inspection and industrial robot/process guidance. 

Imaging Based Automatic Inspection, Sorting and Damage Quantification

The primary uses for machine vision are imaging-based automatic inspection and sorting and robot guidance. in this section the former is abbreviated as "automatic inspection". The overall process includes planning the details of the requirements and project, and then creating a solution. A number of previous studies have also focused on machine vision applications in infrastructure contexts to estimate damage and load states.

Methods and Sequence of Operation

The first step in the automatic inspection sequence of operation is acquisition of an image, typically using cameras, lenses, and lighting that has been designed to provide the differentiation required by subsequent processing. MV software packages and programs developed in them then employ various digital image processing techniques to extract the required information, and often make decisions (such as pass/fail) based on the extracted information.

Equipments

The components of an automatic inspection system usually include lighting, a camera or other imager, a processor, software, and output devices.

Continued in the next blog...